What term describes the loudness or quietness of the voice in drama?

The term that describes the loudness or quietness of the voice in drama is volume. Volume refers specifically to how loud or soft a sound is, which is fundamental in performance to convey emotions, character intentions, and the overall atmosphere of a scene. In drama, being aware of volume allows actors to project their voices effectively to an audience or create an intimate, quiet moment effectively. Mastery of volume enables performers to emphasize key lines, reflect character moods, and engage the audience fully.

Tone, on the other hand, relates more to the character and quality of the sound beyond just loudness—it's about the emotional expression conveyed through the voice. Pitch pertains to the highness or lowness of the sound, which is different from volume. Clarity refers to how well the speech is understood, focusing on pronunciation and articulation rather than the loudness or quietness of the voice. Each of these terms plays an important role in voice work for drama, but volume specifically addresses the aspect of loudness and quietness.